Nine years of two-up adventures help father and son create a special understanding

A father and son biking duo from Honiton in Devon have been sharing their love for two wheels together for almost a decade; squeezing in weekend blasts and small tours as often as they can.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 rider, Andy Paxman, 52, has been taking son William, 15, on the back of his bikes since he was six-years-old and together have racked up thousands of miles across many different machines.

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“I think it’s about making memories as well as just getting some good quality father-son time,” Andy told MCN. “It’s nice to have something in common, whether you’re a dad or a mum – where we can have that time together away from everything.”

Riding most weekends, the pair also managed to squeeze in a 600-mile three-day tour of Wales towards the end of August, staying in a farmhouse near Brecon.

“It’s difficult to put into words,” Andy continued. “We do a lot of talking when we are away – there’s no pressure. He loves sitting on the back because he can just switch off and enjoy the scenery. It’s about creating memories and one day, if he’s a dad, then he can create similar memories with his children.”

Andy’s comments were echoed by son William, who told MCN: “We try to go out as much as possible, nearly every weekend – as long as it’s not raining!

“I like it because it’s a peaceful experience on the most part. Sitting on the bike, the outside world kind of dissolves around you,” he continued.

Riding on average around 140 miles on each trip, the pair are now planning a further battlefield tour in France in 2021. What’s more, with William also nearly 16, a bike of his own could soon be on the cards and he’s keen to start aiming for the 5000-mile annual mileage mark!

Andy continued: “I’m trying to find something like a DT50 that might need a bit of work, to build up together for its MoT. I think it’s good to teach that stuff.”

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Top childcare: R5K members help next generation to have a blast

First published on June 14, 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Ride5000miles members from across Europe have been hitting the road as a family – adding to their annual totals and sharing the thrill of riding across the generations.

Many have turned to motorcycling to keep the kids occupied during the Covid-19 restrictions and inspire the next wave of two-wheeled enthusiasts at the same time.

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Mark Nichols, 43, from Wisbech, said: “It gives you the chance to spend the time with just one of them!”

Mark has ridden with bike-mad son, Alfie, 13, since he was eight, exploring local roads and bike dealerships together, as well as spectating trackday action at Snetterton.

“If anything, he gets me out on the bike more, because he’s always pushing for a trip,” he continued. “During the lockdown, the idea of going out on the bike was always at the front of his mind.”

Following the ease in coronavirus regulations in England, Mark and Alfie have been out for around four rides, taking food and drink and stopping halfway for a lengthy chat. What’s more, daughter, Rosie, 10, has also shown an interest and has since been out twice on the back of the bike.

It’s not all about sharing one bike though and elsewhere, Germany-based KTM 1290 Super Duke GT rider, Markus Schmid, 50, embarked on a 400-mile day trip from his home in Mannheim to his parents’ house in Reutlingen and back alongside his 17-year-old daughter Vici aboard her own Suzuki GSX-R125.

Taking varied scenic routes each way and travelling via the picturesque Black Forest, it was one of the first opportunities for Markus to observe his daughter’s riding, having obtained her licence late in the 2019 riding season.

“In the Black Forest, there are really beautiful mountain roads,” Markus explained. “We went on roads that were kind of twisty, so I could observe how she went into the turns.

“It was fun to ride, but of course – due to the different horsepower – it was a challenge to align the speeds,” the chemical company worker continued. “The small Suzuki always had to rev high!”